System 32\Drivers\nvata.sys

[Jobber]

I having a major problem with my computer.

I am not able to get to my Start Screen.

I have Windows XP.

I am getting this message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

System 32\Drivers\nvata.sys

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original CD-ROM

Select "r' at the first screen to start repair

This looks like it's going to be a toughie.


What am I dealing with here?


How can I fix this??


I have the original CD-ROM Recovery disc in my computer box.


If I insert the disc and select "r" at the first screen to repair, will that fix it??


What are my options??


Also, is it OK to turn the computer off while it is in this state???


Also, there was a message that appeared on screen, and it said select "Last session when things were working OK", something to that effect, and I did, and that didn't fix it.

[FreewheelinFrank]

Seems like an Nvidia issue. See 'Case 3' here:

http://www.techspot.com/news/5587-nforce-v24x-mainboard-drivers-removed.html

If you don't have a floppy drive, a USB thumb drive might do it.

[Jobber]

FreeWheelinFrank wrote:

Seems like an Nvidia issue. See 'Case 3' here:

http://www.techspot.com/news/5587-nforce-v24x-mainboard-drivers-removed.html

If you don't have a floppy drive, a USB thumb drive might do it.

It looks like I have to install the "nvatabus.sys” zip file onto the computer.

I can download the zip file from my other computer.  

When you say "floppy drive", do you mean a drive for the old small square plastic floppy disks that may have been in use c. 2000 A.D.??

Sorry, I'm very ignorant when it comes to computer terminology.

My computer handles CD type discs.

These trademarks are on the front of the drive:

DVD MulitiRecorder RDL

RW
DVD RDL

CompactDisc
Rewritable
Multi Speed


Would using a compact disc work??? Which type of disc would I need to buy???

(Again, I apologize for sounding like a moron).

If a compact disc will not work and my computer is too new (I bought it nearly 2 years ago), what would be a good USB thumb drive you would recommend to buy???



Here's my computer information:

OS: Windows Home Edition XP Version 2002, Service Pack 3, 32 bit

Processor: Intel ® Core ™ 2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz (2 CPUs)

Memory: 2046 MB RAM

DirectX 9.0c

Sound: Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio

8800GT NIVIDIA Geforce card, 1,024.0 MB memory

DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC

Speakers: Logitech


I also found this page at the techspot.com forum; it is a more recent page (December 2009).

I haven't done anything with the computer yet, but things are not looking too good after reading it.

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic139512.html
 

[FreewheelinFrank]

Hey, I've been around long enough to remember when floppy discs were really floppy.

Try putting the file on a CD: I hear that's the modern thing.

[Jobber]

I think this is the most relevant thread that I have found on the internet regarding the problem I am having:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=40713

However, the problem is basically remains unsolved at the end of the thread.

Also, I do not have Windows XP PRO.

Also, I did not do a System Restore when my Windows crashed; I was using the internet, and Windows crashed and rebooted once; I was still able to get into Windows.

Then Windows crashed another time, and I received the System 32\Drivers\nvata.sys message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

System 32\Drivers\nvata.sys

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original CD-ROM

Select "r' at the first screen to start repair

Do you think I should first try to get into Windows Safe mode (F8), and maybe try to run MalwareBytes or SuperAnti-Spyware from Safety Mode??

I might be able to get into Safety Mode.  


However, an Avast! Evangelist, Essexboy, once told me here:

Jobber wrote:

I normally like to run Malwarebytes in Safety Mode because it picks up more of the computer bugs in Safe Mode.

I usually choose getting to Safety Mode by using Run> MSCONFIG> OK >BOOT.INI, and then choosing SAFEBOOT.

Essexboy wrote:

This is exceedingly dangerous - if the malware disables your safe mode (and a lot do) you will end up in a loop unable to login.  Then if you do not have the recovery console installed it is time to do a repair install  

 

[FreewheelinFrank]

I don't think this is a malware issue, unless avast! detected nvata.sys in error (a false positive).

Is it in the avast! chest?